Mark chuckled.
'My last brain cell is enough to deduce why it's, now, of all times, that you've come to talk about the Outside.'
[You're approaching the Exit.]
[That's why.]
'Mm... Yeah, no. See, I don't think that's it.'
[Enlighten me then.]
'What I think is happening? Well...'
Mark grabbed a Monster's leg and took a bite.
'You put me in here, alone. With no one to talk to. And then... You appeared. You talked, and became the only person I could converse with. That meant your input was always important to me. You were the one who could help when I didn't know what to do.'
His teeth crushed a bone with ease.
'The only person. Sure, I had Underlings. But that's just because I developed a Skill to have them. This whoole thing seems to be made so that you're the only person I can trust, whether on the inside or the outside. Blind trust, that's what you wanted. Mixed with the gigantic gratitude that comes with we're the ones who brought you back to life and I've always been there when you needed help. I think that's partly why you kept me in the dark for so long about... Well, everything. About the whole outside world. Your word is absolute, and I should trust it. You, and only you I can trust. That's the kind of relationship you were aiming for. At least, that's what I think.'
[Sounds like you've wanted to get that off your chest for a while.]
'Yes.'
[Good.]
[Glad you could take the weight off.]
[Now, I'm trying to share some important information about how things are outside, so...]
'Right. Brings us to the other point.'
Mark devoured a whole Monster, before letting out a sigh.
No new Skill, despite devouring 12 of the 21 Monsters.
'I really wanted information about the outside. For a while, I asked for it. But you always said nooo... Focus on this. Everything will be explained later. Bla, bla, bla.'
[Your point being?]
'You kept me in the dark for a long time. But now you want to talk. And it's obvious why you want to. You lost your leverage.'
[Did I?]
'Yes. Obviously. You're not the only one with information now. I can get it from someone else.'
[Oh is that so?]
'It is.'
[You're saying you can trust her words?]
[On something as important as what the world is like?]
Mark chuckled.
'You saw all that, huh?'
[I did.]
'I have my issues and reservations, but I don't see any reason why I shouldn't trust her for now.'
No messages came for a bit, giving Mark the time to devour another aquatic Monster in peace.
[You have acquired the Magic Skill "Water Blast[D]".]
'Finally. But [D] Rank, huh? Mm. Doesn't matter. Since Ranks are getting updated once I leave.'
Mark extended a hand forward.
A drop of water appeared in front of his palm.
It started spinning and turned into a large sphere of clear water.
'Pretty cool.' Mark thought before shooting the attack.
It hit the wall, and, noticing the impact it had on the latter, he thought the opposite.
[What are you doing?]
Mark slowly stood up and took his time answering.
'Just trying stuff.'
[Stuff?]
'Yes. Different Magic Skills. Also wanted to acquire one Magic Skill per Element. So that's one thing done at least.'
[You're preparing more than I thought you would.]
Mark didn't answer.
Instead, he reentered the large room that the Fifth Floor was.
'Mm... What to do now...?'
After a couple of seconds, Mark called Krista to his side.
The ferocious Lioness took its cat Form as it approached.
'Think you can go get her for me?'
The Moonlit Feline stared, as if it hadn't heard the question.
'Bring Elisa. I doubt she would listen to Fiery or Levi.'
Shock overtook Krista's face.
'Well? I'm sure you can do it. I'll tell Levi to wait for you at the Third Floor's entry. You just have to cross the Fourth Floor.'
The Moonlit Feline didn't seem thrilled by the idea, but reluctantly nodded.
'Good. You look anxious, why? With your Agility, it shouldn't be a problem. You've developed Heat and Fire Resistance on the Second Floor already. Cross the desert then you'll be with Levi. After that, you're coming back with Elisa. Should go pretty smoothly. No reason to be scared.'
Krista proudly held her head up high as she started walking away.
Mark's gaze didn't leave the Moonlit Feline until the Underling crossed the doors that separated the Floors.
[That's a first.]
'What is?'
[Sending the Moonlit Feline alone.]
'Is it?'
It was rather obvious that Mark didn't feel like talking.
At least, to the person behind those messages.
[So you'll trust her?]
'Yes.'
[Despite the Corruption?]
Pause-
'What does that have to do with anything?' Mark asked.
And no answer came.
He clicked his tongue and walked toward the two Underlings that remained on the Fifth Floor with him.
Both wolves stood in front of him, and Mark placed his palms on their heads.
Grey cheerfully pushed back against his Master's hand. His eyes closed, and his tail wagging energetically.
Light, on the other hand, kept his gaze fixated on his Master.
Mark crouched a bit, and stared back.
'What's going on... In that head of yours?'
His Underlings had changed.
Levi was, now, showing more emotion.
Grey was, from the beginning, a happy and carefree mutt.
Light, on the other hand, is...
'I guess it's the same for Fiery...'
Mark had already thought about it many times, and he wasn't any closer to finding an answer.
'Because I revived them before my Skill's Evolution...? Or is it simply a difference in personalities?'
Two pairs of red pupils stared at Mark.
And both told different stories.
'Sometimes, your eyes...'
One, earnest, sincere, and passionate.
The other, enigmatic, mysterious, and quiet.
'Really remind me of Krista's.'
The Master turned around towards the horde of fighting Monsters.
'We're going at full throttle now, so...'
[The Skill "Berserker[SSS] activates!]
The Underlings moved their centers of gravity forward.
[You have temporarily developed Pain Immunity!]
'Don't get in the way...'
[Your Endurance Stat temporarily increases by 60%.]
[Your Agility Stat temporarily increases by 30%]
[Your Strength Stat temporarily increases by 20%.]
'And don't hold me back.'
[Additional Effect:
Your Strength and Agility Stats will further increase proportionally to the amount of Damage Incurred.]
The white-scaled Monster, from which oozed a purple Aura, cracked the ground as it ran.
Grey followed.
Right, left, kick, tail flick, punch...
As no instructions were given, the Underling tried predicting its Master's movement.
The goal was for the three to fight while being close to one another and without getting in each other's way.
Light suddenly emerged from his Lord's shadow and his fangs took hold of a Royal Minotaur's approaching arm.
Before the latter could attack, the Demonic Dark Wolf disappeared, and the Royal Minotaur realized that the white-scaled Monster had turned its body around already.
Grey watched them for a bit.
Compatibility, synergy, and harmony.
For a short moment, he wished his pelt would turn dark.
Meanwhile, the Moonlit Feline was climbing up the stairs toward the Fourth Floor.
Its body was slightly shaking.
The Moonlit Feline's nose would twitch sporadically, which annoyed her greatly.
Still, the Master had given a task to the Underling.
Refusing was out of the question.
Or was it?
The Moonlit Feline stopped for a bit.
It looked back.
It had already climbed a lot.
Krista was less than halfway there, but she didn't think about that.
The Moonlit Feline continued climbing.
Slowly but surely, more and more sand covered the stairs.
Anxiety and fear intertwined.
Minutes later, she stood in front of the huge doors that separated her from the Fourth Floor.
Krista stared at those doors as her heart beat faster and faster.
She lowered her gaze.
Krista was reminded of the scene that had taken place at this exact location.
Of how she jumped into the desert to attempt to save her Master.
And of how she ended up being the one protected.
A fuzzy feeling.
The Master who put his own body on the line to protect her.
The one who had ordered her to stay behind.
The one who had ordered her to stay away from his enemies.
The one who repeatedly told her to hide inside a necklace.
The Master that ordered her to leave the Boss Room against the Fire Spirit.
The Moonlit Feline raised its gaze towards the huge doors.
It took a step forward.
The Master had finally given her a task.
Krista put her paws against the huge doors.
She had finally earned the Master's trust.
And she was not about to disappoint him.
That day, unbeknownst to many, an epic adventure had taken place on the Fourth Floor's desert.
A quest filled with surprises, deception, perseverance, and extreme battles.
A quest, many wouldn't have survived.
But at the same time, a glorious adventure.
Krista managed to reach the Third Floor's entry.
The Moonlit Feline shuddered.
Its hairs stood on end.
After all it had gone through.
After all the fierce battles and shocking surprises.
What was found at the end of the quest wasn't a Reward, but the wide-open mouth of an enormous Leviathan.
Krista stared at the countless fangs, some four times the size of her head.
Freeze-
A sphere of ice appeared around her.
She knew the Leviathan.
Nevertheless, a sense of impending doom settled, as the gigantic Monster's wide-open mouth approached.
